Mora Laeto Central Otago Pinot Noir 2024 $35 Here’s a shiny new pinot designed with the kiwi Summer in mind. “Laeto” is derived from the Latin word for ‘lush’ and ‘joyful’ and this wine is all about not taking things too seriously, heavily, having fun with how bright and juicy and floral and plush pinot … Read More
Pinot Noir
Ayrburn Whimsy Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020
Ayrburn Whimsy Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 $45 Inky-dark in the glass, this wine might be named ‘whimsy’ but it’s a seriously stocky, in-for-the-long-haul style with stacks of savoury complexity, rich spice layers, baked cherry and black tea. It’s a bit of a beast, but I like that about it. Deeply rich and beefy, it’s … Read More
Q Waitaki Pinot Noir 2022
Q Waitaki Pinot Noir 2022 $65 Waitaki is one of the hardest places in the world to grow grapes, the climate is extreme, it’s a harsh environment but grapevines thrive in that ‘treat em mean, keep em keen’ situation and who are we to judge? This pinot noir has a gentle earthiness, baked cherry and … Read More
Q Waitaki Valley Pinot Noir 2021
Q Waitaki Valley Pinot Noir 2021 Sipping this wine gave me a flashback to a dream I had recently, in which I remember swirling, sniffing, and sipping a pinot, then saying, ‘This is delicious. I’ll take a bottle!’ to which someone replied, ‘Ms Lorkin, this is a church. Let go of the cup and sit … Read More
Alexia Gentle Girl Wairarapa Rosé 2024
Alexia Gentle Girl Wairarapa Rosé 2024 $28 If you’re a fan of cleansing red apple, raspberry, soft cherry and sarsparilla notes in your rosé then you’ve driven down the right cul de sac my friend. Winemaker Jane Cooper and partner Lesley Reidy have named this wine in honour of all the strong, creative, influential and … Read More
Kumeu River Rays Road Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2020
Kumeu River Rays Road Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2020 $40 High acidity and some red apple and earthy characters, but lacks dimension and generosity. The fruit appears to have dropped away and it lacks charm. Not a wine I’d pay $40 for sadly. Kumeu River
Aeronaut Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021
Aeronaut Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021 $40 If you’re looking for a softly herbaceous, subtly spiced pinot noir with a suede-like texture and a squeak of smoked rhubarb, then this wine will be your jam. Soothing, lightly-styled and carrying an earthy, freshly-tilled field character on the finish, it’s a crowd-pleasing pinot for sure. For information on … Read More
Carrick The Magnetic Organic Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2021
Carrick The Magnetic Organic Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2021 $80 Righto. Strap yourself in. Or if you don’t have straps, maybe just find yourself some cushions to wedge yourself between, because you could find yourself being taken to unknown dimensions when you start sipping this wine. Named after a gold dredge prominent in the Kawarau River, … Read More
Carrick Billet-Doux Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2023
Carrick Billet-Doux Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2023 $39 This no-sulphur, now-iconic style from Rosie Menzies and her team at Carrick has a new poem on the back label from front-label artist Leon Ofsky, and it speaks of new dawns, welcoming a new baby and new stories. Very appropriate. The wine is an unfussy, earth-laced style that’s … Read More
Carrick Unravelled Organic Central Otago Pinot Noir 2022
Carrick Unravelled Organic Central Otago Pinot Noir 2022 $32 (released August 2024) Playing on their knotty branding, this pinot by winemaker Rosie Menzies is a different take on the classic Carrick style. It’s lighter, looser, a little more wild and a little more easygoing. Freshly turned earth, tea leaf, baked cherry and stewed rhubarb all … Read More